Teresa Southwick - The Acquired Bride

“It’s their loss.”

“It’ll be mine,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “Unless I can convince them to leave me and the kids alone.”

“It explains a lot. Like why you were so outspoken about the abandoned twins.”

She nodded. “I’m facing the possibility of losing my children, my life,” she whispered, “and someone just walked out on Sammy and Steffie.” She shook her head. “It’s inconceivable to me how anyone could do that. It’s been weeks, and no word—” She stopped as emotion choked her.

“I don’t understand how your in-laws could do anything.” Something flickered in his eyes as he changed the subject back to her problem. “No court in the country would take the triplets from you. You’re a loving, caring mother.”

“Thanks,” she said, his praise filling up a hollow place inside her. “But they’re wealthy. I’m afraid if they pour enough money into the fight, they can do whatever they want. I don’t have enough to hire an attorney, let alone put up more than token resistance. So far it’s just talk. But—” She stopped and caught her top lip between her teeth.

“Tell me what they’re saying.”

“That I’m a single parent with three children. That I came from nothing and that hasn’t changed.”

His mouth twisted, telling her that he disagreed with her words. “What about your husband’s life insurance?”

“There wasn’t any.” When an angry scowl took hold of his features and he opened his mouth, she held up her hand. “It’s a long, sad story. Don’t ask. The point is, I don’t have much money.”

“Lots of people raise families on limited incomes. It’s not grounds for removing the children.”

“They criticize the fact that I have to work full-time to provide for myself and the kids. Lukie and Kelly and Molly are being raised by strangers who can’t give them the time they need. Or bring them up as Hewitts should be.”

“Again, lots of families are in the same boat. Two-income households are a fact of life in this country. That’s why day-care centers like Hannah’s are so vital.”

“I agree,” she said. She tried to suppress her shiver of excitement at his passionate support and was dismally unsuccessful. His outspoken championing of children was so appealing. It made her want his arms around her again. But not just for comfort. She had the most absurd desire to know what his lips would feel like against her own. With an effort she said, “But all the Hewitts can see is that their grandchildren are being raised by their inferiors.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“I tried to get them to come to Storkville and see for themselves what the town is like. I urged them to meet Hannah and her staff, as well as the volunteers at BabyCare, so they would be reassured that the triplets’ environment is safe and nurturing. I suggested that the situation is a good thing, that meeting different people will make them well-rounded individuals. Many people have a lot to offer them.”

“And?”

“They hung up on me. The last thing they said is that I’d be hearing from their lawyer.”

He took her hand in his large warm one. “I’m really sorry, Dana. What can I—”

“Oh, before the lawyer threat, they said it’s not safe for one woman to raise three kids without a husband. It’s dangerous, because they’re a handful.”

He shook his head. “Almost my exact words a few moments ago. No wonder you lost it. I’m sorry. I was trying to make you feel better. Instead, I practically paraphrased your in-laws.”

“There’s no way you could have known. They’re adamant that the children would be better off with them. It’s a household where money is no object and there would be a mother and father.”

“Father?” he said. He said the one word thoughtfully and almost to himself.

Dana could almost see the wheels in his mind spinning. His eyes shone with an inner excitement. What in the world was he thinking?

She knew she should take her hand from his, but she couldn’t bear to relinquish the warmth, the support, the connection. It felt so wonderful, as if she wasn’t alone. Although she knew that was silly. She was in the fight of her life and she had no one in her corner. She was more grateful than she could say that he’d listened as she unburdened herself.

“Quentin, if I thought for a moment that the children would be happy with them and thrive in that environment, I would give them my blessing. But I know them. George and Beatrice Hewitt are narrow-minded and selfish. They would pawn the kids off on servants. The triplets would be so lonely in that sophisticated, adult atmosphere. It’s not a place for children. It’s too adult. It’s like—” she stopped searching for an example.

“My office?” he offered wryly.

In spite of her worries, she couldn’t help smiling. It felt good and she was grateful to him for pulling it out of her. “No,” she denied. “This is a warm atmosphere that just happens to be filled with breakables.”

His grin was fleeting. “You can’t let them win, Dana.”

“I won’t,” she said firmly. “But part of me worries that they’ve got a point. To someone who doesn’t look deeper, they appear to be the salt of the earth. Worse, they’re something I can’t be. A mother and father.”

He stood up suddenly and Dana missed his warmth beside her. He stuck his hands in his pockets and started to pace.

“Quentin?”

He didn’t seem to hear her. He kept walking and occasionally ran his fingers through his hair.

“Quentin? What is it?”

He turned to her and there was an intensity in his expression that she found thrilling. Not to mention sexy as all get-out. “Quentin, say something. I don’t know what to do.”

“Marry me.”

In her whole life, Dana had never been on the receiving end of a jaw-dropping remark. But the two words made her jaw drop. She was completely speechless.

With hands on his hips, he stood in front of her and stared down. “What do you say?”

She shrugged, shook her head in disbelief, and extended her hands in a helpless gesture.

“C’mon, Dana. It’s easy. There’s just one three-letter word I want to hear.”

“Why?” she asked, her voice a whisper.

“That’s not the right one. But the question is valid.” He took a deep breath. “It’s the answer to both our problems.”

“I thought I was the only one with a problem.”

Shaking his head, he said, “Lady, I could give you an earful about problems. For starters, having a wife would be practical for me. I’m the president of the company and it would be sensible for business and society functions. A settled CEO helps stabilize stock prices. Our investors don’t trust uncertainty.”

He had an odd look on his face, as if something else was troubling him.

“I could shoot that full of holes, Quentin. But let’s say for a moment that I buy it, what would marriage do for me?”

“I could give you and the kids security.”

She stood up. “I’m not a charity case, Quentin. I can take care of my children.”

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